Loop Hook Orifice Threader and Beader

ABSTRACT

A uniquely shaped hook which allows a relatively large strand to be hooked securely without snagging or piercing and drawn through a relatively small orifice. The hook can be combined with an adjustable handle which will provide a point of leverage and a clip or ring that will allow the user to keep the device on the hand without holding it directly. A method of embellishing handwork using the device by which the user pre-loads one or more embellishments containing an orifice on the shaft, hooks a strand, slides the embellishment over the hook and onto the strand, and then unhooks the strand with primarily only one hand.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

6,439,000 Aug. 27, 2002 Smark 223/99 1,289,183 Dec. 31, 1918 Jerram 112/223

BACKGROUND

When threading an inherently flexible or bendable, relatively thin and narrow filamentous, fibrous, woven or spun strand-like entity, henceforth referred to herein as a strand 600, through a hole, tunnel, tube, loop, opening, or orifice, henceforth referred to herein as an orifice or an object that contains an orifice such as, but not limited to, a button, bead or charm henceforth referred to herein as an orifice object 500, it is one's natural inclination to simply push it through the orifice. This may work at times, but usually is not fast, easily accomplished, or convenient. This approach rarely works when the diameter of the strand 600 being threaded is close to or in some cases exceeds the diameter of the orifice, through which it is being threaded. This is especially true when the strand 600 is very flexible, tends to fold on itself during insertion and or compresses to form a larger diameter or consists of a cut end which frays, further increasing the diameter and stopping the strand 600 from passing through. It further becomes more difficult as the diameter of the orifice becomes smaller and the length of the orifice increases. Since pushing often proves to be of no use, many different tools have been developed for pulling a strand 600 through an orifice. These tools fall into four broad categories:

-   1. Tools which feature a closed loop such as a needle threader or an     orthodontic floss threader or a needle. In order for these tools to     work correctly one must have an open-ended strand to thread through     the closed loop of the tool. Once the tool is threaded, it can be     pulled or pushed in some way through the orifice. While these will     work for an open-ended strand, they are not practical if one is     seeking to thread a closed or semi-closed strand 600 through the     orifice. -   2. Tools which are, in general, open hooks and include crochet     hooks, heddle threaders, and orifice threaders. These tools work by     inserting the hook into an orifice, hooking a strand 600, and then     retracting it through the orifice. These will pull both open and     closed strands 600 through a compatible orifice size with reasonable     success and with limited frustration, however, they do not work very     well at all for applications outside of their intended design. For     instance, they are incapable of hooking and pulling yarn through a     small diameter orifice as found in many decorative beads. The hooks     of these tools are often too shallow to accommodate the entire     strand 600 and so the strand 600, in whole or part, slips off the     hook before the threading process is complete. Those hooks that     adequately accommodate the strand 600 are usually too thick to pass     through the orifice. When a thin hook is required to accommodate the     smaller orifice size, shafts often prematurely expand into a handle     configuration that is too wide to pass through the orifice and thus     do not emerge from the orifice to catch the strand 600. Hooks that     are narrow and wire-like often split the strand 600 and either     pierce or fray the strand 600 compromising its integrity in terms of     strength and for appearance. The hook end also tends to catch on the     orifice edge during retraction even when tools are being used as     designed such as the frequent catching when using an orifice hook to     pull spun fiber through the orifice of a spinning wheel. -   3. Tools which are latched hooks featuring a hinged latch which     closes the open hook and thereby captures the open or closed strand     600. These work well for larger applications, but are far too large     for small applications such as threading small seed beads used in     jewelry making. Not only does the latch hook hinge fold back on     itself during insertion, which then increases the hook size, but it     also has rigid construction that does not allow it to squeeze     through smaller orifices. In addition, it generally features a     relatively large teardrop shape further increasing the minimum     orifice size. -   4. Tools which are presently used by those skilled in the art such     as a cut piece of sewing thread folded around the open or closed     strand 600 to be drawn, both ends of thread brought together,     threaded through an orifice, and then pulled so as to draw the     strand 600 through the orifice. Since thread is thin and slippery,     it is hard to grip. One then wraps the thread several times around     the fingers in order to pull with adequate force to pull the strand     600 through the orifice. This may hurt the hands and can break the     thread. This method is also time consuming, cumbersome, and requires     two free hands to complete the process for the average practitioner.     The thread is hard to see and is easily lost on the work surface or     accidentally adheres to clothes or the project. Thread also tends to     fold on itself significantly as it encounters resistance due to     friction between it and the orifice surface and thus significantly     inhibits threading the strand 600 through the orifice. The problem     is exacerbated as the orifice passageway becomes longer. To     counteract this problem, thread is often first inserted into a     small-eyed needle to then be threaded through the orifice. This is     yet another step which results in time loss and may require a needle     threader to insert the thread into the eye of the needle.

In summary, the above methods are not efficient or convenient and work with ever increasing difficulty when the size of the strand 600 and orifice is reduced and the ratio of the strand diameter to the orifice diameter increases. Since people have been artistically working with strands 600 to create closed loops and/or stitches and have sought to embellish the work with beads and the like, no convenient and truly effective methods have been developed to easily add beads, buttons, and embellishments to stitches. Even today the authors of knit beading books will instruct the reader to use the standard inefficient, methods such as a crochet hook or a piece of sewing thread. The solution described herein has proven to provide an optimal solution to pulling almost any strand 600 through an orifice or pushing any orifice over a strand 600, especially for smaller orifice diameters. This very useful device design, as per a search, has not been suggested, published, developed or otherwise disclosed by those who would find it most useful over the period of at least the last 100 years for this purpose nor comprised in such a way as is described below.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A key component of this invention has been termed a “Shaft Hook” 100 and a particular embodiment is detailed in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. This device will solve the above orifice threading problems and will prove itself useful for a wide range of such threading applications. A Shaft Hook 100 is configured so that a strand 600 may slip into the hook 112 without catching, splitting, or piercing and thus being caught in the hook 112 so it can be securely pulled through an orifice. The key design parameter of the shaft hook 100 is that the terminal end 116 of the shaft hook 100 is angled away from the direct path of the strand 600 as it is compressed under tension over the shaft 110, slid down the shaft 110 and into the hook 112. Size, shape, and configuration of the shaft hook 100 may be optimized for different applications. The shaft hook 100 can be used to hook both an open-ended or closed or semi-closed loop strand 600 configuration and may be attached to many other components such as handles, grippers or machinery which would add to its usefulness. A particular embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG. 4 and, when configured in this way, is primarily operated with one hand and can be retained in the hand without holding it directly so it is conveniently retrievable for each use and adds a means of convenient leverage for specific applications described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a particular embodiment of the shaft hook 100 component from a side of the shaft hook 100 which places the cross 114 in the front of the shaft 110, with the hook 112 to the bottom and the terminal end 116 slanting to the top right.

FIG. 2 illustrates the shaft hook 100 component from a side of the shaft hook 100 which places the cross 114 to the back of the shaft 110.

FIG. 3 shows the shaft hook 100 component side view demonstrating the closeness of the shaft 110 with the cross 114. Note that the shaft 110 is in the front, then the hook 112 turns away, and then the terminal end 116 comes back toward the front.

FIG. 4 shows a particular embodiment of this invention as an assembled device described herein and comprised of the shaft hook 100, handle 300, and ring 400 components.

FIG. 5 illustrates how this particular embodiment of the assembled Loop Hook Orifice Threader and Beader device shown in FIG. 4 is to be held in the hand and shows an orifice object 500, in this case a seed bead, on the shaft hook 100.

FIG. 6 demonstrates the shaft hook 100 device in use with a strand 600 latched into the hook 112 with an orifice object 500 past the terminal end 116 and sitting on the cross 114. The orifice object 500 will next slide over the hook 112 and latched-in strand 600 resulting in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 shows the orifice object 500 after it slides over the hook 112 and latched strand 600 and onto the closed-loop strand 600. In this illustration the looped strand 600 is a small, stretchy, silicone band often used in crafting jewelry or holding hair.

FIG. 8 shows the orifice object 500 after it slides over the hook 112 and latched strand 600 and onto the looped strand 600. In this illustration the looped strand 600 is a knit stitch which was originally created by a knitting needle 700.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The solution to effectively and efficiently pulling a strand 600 through an orifice, is the relatively long and thin shaft hook 100 FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 described herein. The shaft hook 100 is configured into a unique shape with a width that is consistent with the minimum orifice diameter for which it is designed. In this regard, it's size is limited only by available and suitable construction materials and methods, thus allowing it to slide into any orifice object 500 diameter such as, but not limited to, the hole of small seed beads 500 or the orifice of a spinning wheel. The length and thickness of the shaft hook 100 component will and can vary for the specific range of strand 600 and orifice combination use. All or part of the shaft 110 may not necessarily be straight. In fact, it may be gently curved, extremely curved, twisted, or bent as necessary for the particular application.

The shaft 110 results in a continuous or attached upturned hook 112 which will then cross 114 the shaft 110 again in another plane with the terminal end 116 angled away from the strand 600 as it slides down the shaft 110 and into the hook 112. Most often this angle will be slanted away from the shaft 110 as shown in FIG. 1, but could take on another angle such as a curve toward the shaft 110. The key is that the terminal end 116 is not in the path of the strand 600 as it slides down the shaft 110 and into the hook 112 providing a snag free space through which the strand 600 can pass without being split or pierced by the terminal end 116. The cross 114 serves to secure, snare, catch, hold or lock the strand 600 into the base of the hook 112. The distance from the cross 114 to the terminal end 116 will vary and depend on the use and specifications of the shaft hook 100 including the strand 600 it is intended to hold and the orifice it must pass through. The shaft hook 100 will essentially be touching at the point of the cross 114. Very little space if any is desirable at this point so that it keeps the strand 600 latched into the hook 112. Some space is possible however and may be necessary depending on shaft hook 100 material characteristics FIG. 3. The cross 114 could even by carved out so as to allow the cross 114 to fit over or interlock over the shaft 110. In this case the diameter of the total shaft hook 100 would be further reduced increasing shaft hook 100 versatility. The amount of positive or negative space between the cross 114 and the shaft 110 will be determined by material characteristics and intended application or use. A shaft hook 100 comprised of a material with optimal give or flex while still returning to its predetermined shape will reduce the needed space at the cross 114 to zero. The material will give slightly to the force of the strand 600 and allow the strand 600 to enter the hook 112. A material that “gives” slightly is also very desirable so that it will more easily pull through the orifice both reducing the potential for snagging the orifice opening and to increase its ability to move through even smaller orifices before resiliently returning to its predetermined shape.

The shaft hook 100 diameter and length, as well as the hook 112, cross 114, and terminal end 116 design will vary for different purposes and applications. This particular embodiment of the shaft hook 100 will accommodate a fine sewing thread to a size 5 or 6 (bulky) yarn and can be inserted into an orifice as small as approximately 0.055″ (1.5 mm) in diameter (such as a size 6 seed bead) and as long as approximately 0.75″ (2 cm) in length. The shaft hook 100 can be manufactured to accommodate many other size ranges.

As with any hook device that is retracted through an orifice some edge catching may occur at times, as is the case with existing orifice threader hooks, but this shaft hook 100 design will effectively minimize this occurrence. Use by those skilled in the art has shown that a little practice will effectively eliminate any catching. In addition, it should be recognized to anybody skilled in the art that this unique shaft hook 100 component can be mounted on a multiplicity of different handles, arms or machine fixtures to produce devices that effect easy and efficient manual or automatic use.

A particular embodiment of this invention is the device shown in FIG. 4. which has most immediate use as a tool that allows fiber artists, banders, and others the ability to quickly, efficiently, and conveniently embellish their work with only one hand and thereby allowing the artist a free hand with which to hold the work. The shaft 110 is of adequate rigidity such that it will not bend due to the frictional resistance of an orifice. Further speeding the process, it may allow one to string multiple orifice objects 500, either all the same or different and in any desired sequence, at once on the shaft 110. The Loop Hook Orifice Threader and Beader FIG. 4 sits in the hand FIG. 5 while both in and out of use and so eliminates time and frustration looking for and picking up the tool as is often the case when practicing this art form with other methods.

This Loop Hook Orifice Threader and Beader device FIG. 4 can thread an open-ended strand, but in addition, it is ideal for threading an orifice object 500, onto a loop or two sides of one strand 600 at once FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. Situations where this Loop Hook Orifice Threader and Beader FIG. 4 would be most useful include 1. Placing orifice objects 500 on a stretchy closed loop band 600 often used to make jewelry crafts or hold hair. 2. Placing orifice objects 500 on a knit stitch 600 3. Placing orifice objects 500 on a crochet stitch 4. Placing orifice objects 500 on a hand sewing or embroidery stitch such as a chain stitch, 5. Placing orifice objects 500 on any other fully or partially closed strand 600 and 6. Pulling any open-ended strand, chain, etc. or closed or partially closed strand 600 or loop through any orifice.

The preferred embodiment in FIG. 4 is comprised of the shaft hook 100 attached to a handle 300 at approximately a right angle which is designed to telescope to an appropriate span for a specific application or user. The handle 300 also includes a free rotation mechanism that allows the shaft hook 100 unit to be turned upwards or downwards easily and aide in ease of use both in convenient position and gravitationally keeping the orifice object(s) 500 on the shaft hook 100. The handle 300 is designed to fit across the inside of the hand giving leverage to the user FIG. 5. The handle 300 is attached to a ring 400 which is adjustable in size to fit the user and detachable/interchangeable with different sizes or styles. Other preferred embodiments may or may not utilize these features for best use in a specific application.

The intended use of this Loop Hook Orifice Threader and Beader FIG. 4 is for embellishing handwork. The user will slip the clip or ring 400 onto the hand, most likely a comfortable finger, with the handle 300 held under the second joint knuckles of the hand FIG. 5. The handle 300 will then be adjusted so that the entire handle 300 fits comfortably under the width of the fingers. The handle 300 will also be adjustable in angle so that the shaft hook 100 is in line with the thumb and forefinger to comfortably allow a user to slide an orifice object 500 down the shaft 110 over the hook 112 and onto the strand 600 FIG. 6.

The process to use the preferred embodiment FIG. 4 to embellish handwork with an orifice object 500 such as a bead is as follows: 1. Place the clip or ring 400 on a comfortable finger and adjust the handle 300 span and angle of the shaft hook 100 to comfortably fit the user's hand FIG. 5. 2. Load an orifice object 500 onto the shaft 110 and hold it in place with your finger. 3. Loop the strand 600 over the shaft 110 and pull the strand 600 taught while slipping it down the shaft 110 and into the hook 112. 4. If applicable, remove the looped strand 600 from any other tool or implement that was initially used to hold or create the loop 600, such as but not limited, to a knitting needle 700. 5. Using the thumb and forefinger slide an orifice object 500 down the shaft 110, over the terminal end 116, cross 114, and hook 112 (with a slight rock or wiggle of the orifice object 500 if necessary) FIG. 6, and onto the looped strand 600, FIG. 7, FIG. 8. 6. Replace the looped strand 600 onto the original tool or implement if desired in order to continue the project. 7. Remove the hook 112 from the looped strand 600 by applying a bit of pressure which will both tension the strand 600 and release the strand 600 with relative ease. Longer shafts 110 will allow more orifice objects 500 to be pre-threaded or loaded onto the Hook Loop Orifice Threader and Beader FIG. 4 so they may be released at any rate as the user desires. Longer shafts 110 will also allow for longer orifices to be threaded including the orifice of a spinning wheel or other tubes or other decorative embellishments.

In concept, all parts of the Loop Hook Orifice Threader and Beader FIG. 4 are interchangeable allowing additional shaft hook 100 components to be used for different orifice and strand 600 specifications. Different handles 300 may be used for adding or reducing potential span or for changing the sensitivity of the shaft hook 100 angle adjustment. Different handles 300 may be interchanged to accommodate style and design decoration preferences. Clips or rings 400 may be interchanged as well to meet size, style, and finger placement requirements. The Hook Loop Orifice Threader and Beader FIG. 4 may also be manufactured as a single unit without interchangeable parts or any combination of such. 

Having thus described my invention, I claim:
 1. A shaft hook (100) comprising: a shaft (100) having an original end and a terminal end (116); and near said terminal end (116) said shaft (100) turns up via a curve or a series of angles through more than one plane forming an oblong hook (112) small enough to be threaded through a desirable orifice and large enough to hold a desirable strand (600) when said strand (600) is compressed under tension; and will cross (114) back over said shaft (110) or said hook (112) so that said terminal end (116) does not touch said shaft (110) or said hook (112) and said terminal end (116) is not angled in the direct path of incoming said strand (600) so that said strand (600) can be hooked without splitting or piercing said strand (600); and the point of cross (114) will be touching or nearly touching the shaft (110) or even carved out so as to allow the cross (114) to interlock over the shaft (110) effectively creating a space and mechanism for retaining the strand (600) in the hook (112); and between said original end and said hook (112), said shaft (110) may be straight or have one or more curves for best suitability for orifice shape or for storage of multiple items that could be threaded onto the shaft (110) prior to placing said items onto said strand (600).
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a springy, yet rigid and resilient material with an optimal amount of “flex” and “give” so that the terminal end (116), cross (114) and hook (112) will each “give” slightly allowing for both the smallest possible orifice diameter to be threaded and the greatest possible strand mass to be hooked with a single shaft hook (100) unit without loosing shaft hook (100) strength or integrity.
 3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a handle (300) with both a handle original end and a handle terminal end to which said shaft hook (100) original end is attached at or near said handle original end.
 4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a feature which allows said handle (300) to adjust in span and make the distance from said handle original end to said handle terminal end shorter or longer.
 5. The device of claim 3 further comprising a feature which allows said handle original end and attached said shaft hook (100) to freely rotate while said handle terminal end remains fixed.
 6. The device of claim 3 further comprising an adjustable or fixed clip or ring (400) attached to said handle (300) so that it may be worn on the hand while in use.
 7. A method of using said Loop Hook Orifice Threader and Beader device (FIG. 4) which is comprised of a shaft hook (100), a handle (300) including a span adjustment and a free rotation mechanism, and a clip or ring (400) to pull said strand (600) through any orifice or to push an orifice object (500), including but not limited to beads, buttons and charms over said strand (600) comprising the steps of: placing said ring or clip (400) on the hand and adjusting the handle (300), both in span and orientation, so that the shaft hook (100) is in line with the thumb and index finger; sliding said orifice object(s) (500) on said shaft hook (100) (loading); rotating said shaft hook (100) upwards so that said orifice object(s) (500) are kept in place until ready to use (storing); rotating said shaft hook (100) downwards so that said orifice object(s) (500) may slide down said shaft (100) (readying); hooking said strand (600) into said hook (112) by looping said strand (600) over said shaft (110), placing tension on said strand (600) to compress it, and slide said strand (600) down the shaft (110), through the cross (114) and into the hook (112) (hooking); pushing said orifice object(s) (500) down said shaft (110) and over said hook (112) and onto said strand (600) while applying counter force to said handle (300) (applying); removing said strand (600) from said hook (112) (releasing); rotating said shaft hook (100) to the upwards position so that remaining said orifice object(s) (500) are kept in place on said shaft hook (100) until ready to use (storing again); repeating loading, storing, readying, hooking, applying, releasing, and storing again as many times as desired and in any appropriate order removing said device (FIG. 4) from hand. 